Iran to hold three-day war games: report

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's armed forces will begin three
days of war games on Monday involving anti-aircraft defense
systems, Iranian media said on Sunday.

The exercises will be held amid persistent speculation
about a possible U.S. or Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear
facilities, which the West and Israel say are part of a
clandestine bid to build atomic bombs, despite Tehran's
denials.

The ISNA news agency said both Iran's Revolutionary Guards
and its regular army would take part in the drills.

"Maneuvers with the participation of anti-aircraft defense
systems will be held for three days starting Monday," it said,
without giving further details.

The English-language Iran Daily said the aim was to
maintain and upgrade the combat readiness of relevant units as
well as to "test new weapons and defense plans."

Speculation about a possible attack on Iran's nuclear
facilities has risen since Israel staged an air force exercise
in June which was reported to be a simulation of a strike
against Iran. Iran says it would hit back if attacked.

An Iranian commander last week said the Iranian air force
would hold exercises during the Muslim fasting month of
Ramadan, which began in Iran on September 2, but it was not
immediately clear whether he was referring to the same drills
as the ISNA report.

Alongside the regular army, Iran has a Revolutionary Guards
force viewed as guardians of the Islamic ruling system. The
Guards have a separate command and their own air, sea and land
units, but often work with the regular military.

Iran has dismissed reports of possible U.S. or Israeli
plans to strike Iran, but says it would respond by attacking
U.S. interests and Israel if any such assault was made.
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